Brian Letwin in Saigon
Saigon From Above
Photographer Gian Thanh Son is completing a book and preparing a special exhibition, "Discovering Saigon from the air." With the help of special forces helicopter Regiment 917 (Air Division 370), Son...
Brian Letwin in Saigon
Crazy Buffalo Up in Flames. Again.
For the second time in two years, Pham Ngu Lao hotspot, The Crazy Buffalo, saw its neon sign go up in flames. At 4pm yesterday afternoon, passersby warned the restaurant that smoke was rising from th...
Brian Letwin in Saigon
Saigon's Old Bridges in Danger of Collapse
Saigon is a city of bridges. They criss-cross the city's rivers and canals, allowing for the flow of goods and people. But time, wars and poor maintenance have not been kind to many of the city's old...
Brian Letwin in Saigon
Experts Reject Plan for New Saigon Airport
As plans move forward for Saigon’s new Long Thanh airport, a pair of former aviation officials are questioning the need for such an investment. Associate Prof. Dr Nguyen Thien Tong, former chairman o...
Brian Letwin in Saigon
How Much Do You Make? New Report Finds Growing Salaries in HCMC
Ever wonder what you're worth? The recently released 2013 Robert Walters Global Salary Survey shows moderate growth in salaries for workers in the financial, supply chain, engineering, HR, IT, s...
Brian Letwin in Saigon
Harley-Davidson Finally Opening Shop in Saigon?
For a country with a motorbike obsession, this counts as huge news - iconic American motorcycle maker, Harley-Davidson, is finally opening a showroom in Vietnam according to a set of job postings on V...
Brian Letwin in Saigon
Massive Fire Drill at Diamond Plaza this Morning
If you're wondering why emergency crews, including 2 helicopters are running around Dimond Plaza this morning, fear not, for it's only a drill! The city fire, police and health departments along with...
Brian Letwin in Saigon
Starbucks Opens Second Store in Saigon
Last Thursday, Starbucks opened the doors to their second location in Saigon (and Vietnam), just 6 months after the company arrived in the Vietnamese market. According to Patricia Marques, general ma...
Brian Letwin in Saigon
Saigon Proposes Ban on Shisha
The Ho Chi Minh City government has submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Health that shisha be banned from businesses to protect the public’s health. Shisa, a water-based tobacco pipe, traces its ...
Brian Letwin in Saigon
City Authorities to Demolish Hundreds of Illegal Homes
Over the next three weeks, city authorities will demolish 500 illegally-built houses in Binh Chanh, Thu Duc, Binh Tan, Cu Chi, Hoc Mon, Go Vap and Tan Phu Districts. A few weeks ago, city authorities...
Brian Letwin in Saigon
Saigon Couples Encouraged to Make More Babies
Even though Vietnam’s population has been steadily growing the last few decades, a declining birth rate has prompted HCMC officials to encourage couples to have more than one child.
Brian Letwin in Saigon
[Video] Dozens of Drivers Tripped Up by Pothole
Driving in Saigon becomes truly hazardous when it rains - flooded streets disguise potholes, and breaks are rendered ineffective at short distances. These are the elements that came into play last wee...
Brian Letwin in Saigon
Police to Crack Down on Noisy Pham Ngu Lao Bars
We’re sure nothing will come of this (other than some hush money) but the District 1 People's Committee has set up a joint inspection team address the late night noise from Pham Ngu Lao’s bars.
Brian Letwin in Saigon
New Ho Chi Minh Statue for Downtown
The iconic statue of Ho Chi Minh, which has made its home in front of the HCMC People’s Committee building, will soon be moved and replaced by a new bust of Vietnam’s most beloved national hero. The ...
Brian Letwin in Saigon
VNA A330 Engine Catches Fire After Landing in Saigon
Yesterday at 3:55pm, a Vietnam Airlines Airbus A330, arriving from Melbourne, landed at Ton San Nhat International airport. Soon after, smoke was observed coming from its no. 2 engine.
Brian Letwin in Saigon
Saigon Lifts Ban on Public Bus Advertising
Saigon’s 2002 ban on public advertising has been lifted, allowing for advertisements on public buses, taxis and trains. The move has been welcomed by advertisers, seeking to expand their reach, and th...
Brian Letwin in Saigon
Starbucks CEO Says Company Will Open Hundreds of Stores in Vietnam
On the heels of a successful launch in Vietnam, Starbucks CEO, Howard Schultz, announced that the American coffee chain will open hundreds of stores in the country. Before opening its 2-story flagshi...
Brian Letwin in Saigon
Saigon Opens ‘Smile School’ for Traffic Police
Saigon’s traffic police just underwent rigorous training sessions to help them gain knowledge on "cultural behavior and moral behavior of traffic police officers" while on duty. The program, chai...
Brian Letwin in Saigon
Saigon's New CNG Busses to be Produced in Vietnam
Locally-produced CNG (compressed natural gas) busses may be an increasingly common sight over the next 12 months. On April 18, Duong Hong Thanh, deputy director of the City Department of Transport, a...
Brian Letwin in Saigon
Silent Mics? Heavy Fines for Liquor in Karaoke Rooms
Ain't no liquor in the karaoke room. To the dismay of ballers across Saigon, a new decree from the Ministry of Culture Sports and Tourism will raise the fines for drinking liquor in karaoke rooms. So...
